For if A. B :: C. D :: E. F be arithmetically proportional, the couples A + F, B + E, C + D will be equal to one another; and their sum will be equal to A + F, multiplied by the number of their combinations, that is, by half the number of the terms.
If, of four unequal magnitudes, any two, together taken, be equal to the other two together taken, then the greatest and the least of them will be in the same combination. Let the unequal magnitudes be A, B, C, D; and let A + B be equal to C + D; and let A be the greatest of them all; I say B will be the least. For, if it may be, let any of the rest, as D, be the least. Seeing therefore A is greater than C, and B than D, A+B will be greater than C + D; which is contrary to what was supposed.
If there be any four magnitudes, the sum of the greatest and least, the sum of the means, the difference of the two greatest, and the difference of the two least, will be arithmetically proportional. For, let there be four magnitudes, whereof A is the greatest, D the least, and B and C the means; I say A + D. B + C :: A - B. C - D are arithmetically proportional. For the difference between the first antecedent and its consequent is this, A + D - B - C; and the difference between the second antecedent and its consequent this, A - B - C + D; but these two differences are equal; and therefore, by this 5th article, A + D. B + C :: A - B. C - D are arithmetically proportional.
If, of four magnitudes, two be equal to the other two, they will be in reciprocal arithmetical proportion. For let A + B be equal to C + D, I say A. C :: D. B are arithmetically proportional. For if they be not, let A. C :: D. E (supposing E to be greater or less than B) be arithmetically proportional, and then A + E will be equal to C + D; wherefore A + B and C + D are not equal; which is contrary to what was supposed.
The definition and transmutations of analogism, or the same geometrical proportion.
6. One geometrical proportion is the same with another geometrical proportion; when the same cause, producing equal effects in equal times, determines both the proportions.
If a point uniformly moved describe two lines, either with the same, or different velocity, all the parts of them which are contemporary, that is, which are described in the same time, will be two to two, in geometrical proportion, whether the antecedents be taken in the same line, or not. For, from the point A (in the [10th figure] at the end of the 14th chapter) let the two lines, A D, A G, be described with uniform motion; and let there be taken in them two parts A B, A E, and again, two other parts, A C, A F; in such manner, that A B, A E, be contemporary, and likewise A C, A F contemporary. I say first (taking the antecedents A B, A C in the line A D, and the conquents A E, A F in the line A G) that A B. A C :: A E. A F are proportionals. For seeing (by the 8th chap, and the [15th art.]) velocity is motion considered as determined by a certain length or line, in a certain time transmitted by it, the quantity of the line A B will be determined by the velocity and time by which the same A B is described; and for the same reason, the quantity of the line A C will be determined by the velocity and time, by which the same A C is described; and therefore the proportion of A B to A C, whether it be proportion of equality, or of excess or defect, is determined by the velocities and times by which A B, A C are described; but seeing the motion of the point A upon A B and A C is uniform, they are both described with equal velocity; and therefore whether one of them have to the other the proportion of majority or of minority, the sole cause of that proportion is the difference of their times; and by the same reason it is evident, that the proportion of A E to A F is determined by the difference of their times only. Seeing therefore A B, A E, as also A C, A F are contemporary, the difference of the times in which A B and A C are described, is the same with that in which A E and A F are described. Wherefore the proportion of A B to A C, and the proportion of A E to A F are both determined by the same cause. But the cause, which so determines the proportion of both, works equally in equal times, for it is uniform motion; and therefore (by the last precedent definition) the proportion of A B to A C is the same with that of A E to A F; and consequently A B. A C :: A E. A F are proportionals; which is the first.
Secondly, (taking the antecedents in different lines) I say, A B. A E :: A C. A F are proportionals; for seeing A B, A E are described in the same time, the difference of the velocities in which they are described is the sole cause of the proportion they have to one another. And the same may be said of the proportion of A C to A F. But seeing both the lines A D and A G are passed over by uniform motion, the difference of the velocities in which A B, A E are described, will be the same with the difference of the velocities, in which A C, A F are described. Wherefore the cause which determines the proportion of A B to A E, is the same with that which determines the proportion of A C to A F; and therefore A B. A E :: A C. A F, are proportionals; which remained to be proved.
Coroll. I. If four magnitudes be in geometrical proportion, they will also be proportionals by permutation, that is, by transposing the middle terms. For I have shown, that not only A B. A C :: A E. A F, but also that, by permutation, A B. A E :: A C. A F are proportionals.
Coroll. II. If there be four proportionals, they will also be proportionals by inversion or conversion, that is, by turning the antecedents into consequents. For if in the last analogism, I had for A B, A C, put by inversion A C, A B, and in like manner converted A E, A F into A F, A E, yet the same demonstration had served. For as well A C, A B, as A B, A C are of equal velocity; and A C, A F, as well as A F, A C are contemporary.